After a resolution urging the kingdom to protect press freedom, Moroccan MPs on Monday unanimously agreed to examine their relationship with the European Parliament, accusing it of interfering.
In response to the non-binding European legislation adopted on Thursday, members of both chambers of Morocco’s parliament convened in the capital city of Rabat for a joint session.
The Moroccan lawmakers described the European resolution as “an outrageous attack against the sovereignty, dignity, and independence of judicial institutions in the country” in a statement following their meeting.
They claimed it badly damaged their relationship’s foundational trust.
As a result, according to Rachid Talbi Alami, speaker of the House of Representatives, Morocco’s Parliament “decided to reassess its relations with the European Parliament and submit them for an overall evaluation.” He said nothing more in-depth.
Morocco and the European Union have close economic and commercial ties according to a 1996 agreement, especially in the areas of agriculture and fishing.
Mohammed Ghiat, the leader of the National Rally of Independents, which is the largest party in Morocco’s ruling coalition, declared that “their actions are not going to intimidate us, and we are not going to modify our route and attitude.”
The Moroccan government had been urged by European legislators in Strasbourg to “respect freedom of expression and media freedom” and to “ensure imprisoned journalists… a fair trial.”
The EU parliament vote was hailed by the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as a break from “25 years of inaction.”
Some parliamentarians believed France, Morocco’s old colonial power, was driving the European legislation.
According to Ahmed Touizi of the Authenticity and Modernity Party, “behind the scenes of this decision is a country that we had considered of as a friend and a reliable partner, but the scent of gas has made it lose it.”
Touizi, whose party is a component of the ruling coalition, was referring to the improving relations between Paris and Algeria, Morocco’s adversary and major gas exporter to Europe. Algeria is also a neighbor of Morocco.
“Morocco has had enough of double standards,” Abdelmajid Fassi Fihri, of the Istiqlal Party, told AFP. He deplored the fact that the European Parliament had not condemned attacks on press freedom in Algeria.
Journalists jailed
Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni, two of the most well-known journalists in Morocco, were both condemned at an appeal last year on charges of sexual abuse.
Radi, 36, who has criticised Moroccan authorities, was given a six-year prison term for rape and espionage, both of which he vigorously rejects.
Currently serving a five-year term is Raissouni. He too has consistently defended his innocence and claims that he was charged “because of his ideas”.
Authorities in Morocco maintain that the judiciary is impartial and that the cases against journalists have nothing to do with their line of work.
Last week, European lawmakers reaffirmed the European Parliament’s resolve to “completely probe” corruption and expressed their “grave concern” about claims that Moroccan officials had paid its members.
The MEP corruption scandal that broke last month sent shockwaves through Brussels’ EU circles, with MEPs being accused of accepting bribes from both Morocco and Qatar.
Both nations vigorously refute the charges.
An “authorized source” at the Rabat foreign ministry was cited by a government-affiliated media outlet as saying the EU action would have “no impact on Morocco” in response to the resolution.
The source said it “fits with the aggressions and harassments sustained by the kingdom from those disturbed by Morocco’s development, prosperity and strong role in the region.”
